Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Best Conundrum Yet,” Alexander's Weekly Messenger, vol. 4, no. 19, May 6, 1840, page 2, col. 6


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[page 2, column 6:]

BEST CONUNDRUM YET.

With this heading we find the following in the New York Signal: — “Why may Prince Albert be considered a saving and frugal personage?” [[“]]Answer — because he lays by a sovereign every night.” Mr. Benjamin, we have a very high respect for you, but not for your opinion about your own puns. Do you seriously think that conundrum a good one — we don’t. To be good, a double entendre should be at least good English when viewed on either side. Now we may lay by a piece of money — but we lie by a wife.

 


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Notes:

This notice was first attributed to Poe by Clarence S. Brigham in Edgar Allan Poe's Contributions to Alexander's Weekly Messenger, 1943, p. 83.


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[S:1 - AWM, 1840] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Misc. - Best Conundrum Yet